Meet Britain’s Oldest Wine & Spirits Merchant, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Berry Bros. & Rudd is an entry in our Great British Brands 2024 book. 

Berry Bros. & Rudd: Great British Brand 2024

‘AI is still in its early days. We’re pretty excited about it but with the caveat that fine wines and spirits are a complicated area. There is a huge amount of data out there but much of it is subjective; it’s one of the delights of the beautifully complicated world of fine wines and spirits that tastes and opinions vary

Technology is key within our business; it helps us to drive efficiencies and better support our customers. It is important in the logistics and supply chain in allowing us to plan the routes taken by the electric delivery vans to maximise their range. Temperature and humidity are vital factors in wine storage which can be minutely and efficiently controlled by technology. Our fine wine exchange, BBX, relies on technology allowing our customers to trade their wines at the click of a mouse.

But, at Berry Bros. & Rudd, the human element is vital. We think of ourselves as the closest link between the producer and the customer. It’s all about building up the relationship, the human touch. We have relationships with suppliers which have endured for long periods of time, in many cases for generations. It’s my job to build up those relationships, a process which often starts with interesting conversations over lunch and dinner. I leave the finer points of tasting, selection, and negotiation to the buyers, the experts. The wine world is a complex one where contacts and experience really do count.

At the other end of the business, it is vital that our customers trust us. At the same time, we help them explore the world of wine; for example, we have recently finished a campaign promoting artisanal grower’s champagne. Our buyers are constantly exploring, unearthing new, interesting wines for our customers.’

Emma Fox, CEO

Five Proudest Moments

1. Receiving two Royal Warrants, in 1903 and 1997, having supplied the Royal Family since 1760 in George III’s reign.
2. Launching bbr.com, our award-winning website, in 1994, the year that Amazon started and four years before Google existed.
3. Launching BBX, our online fine wine exchange, in 2010. Today BBX is the world’s largest trading platform for privately owned fine wines.
4. In 2019 our No. 3 London Dry Gin became the first gin to win the Supreme Champion Spirit, having already been uniquely nominated as ‘World’s Best’ four times.
5. Celebrating our 325th anniversary in 2023 and continuing to trade from our historic home at No.3 St James’s St.

What I’ve Learnt…

• The extent and depth of the passion for wine and spirits throughout the company.
• It’s important to remain flexible and willing to try new things to help you meet your goals.
• Focusing on customers, including what they want, how they feel and where to find them, can improve your results.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD

3 St James’s Street, London SW1A 1EG

+44 (0)20 7022 8973

bbr.com

@berrybrosrudd